Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale | Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
California, United States
avbc.com
Style: Winter Warmer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.90%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
Winter Solstice® is our take on the classic style of “winter warmer.” Boasting a deep amber hue and rich mouthfeel, its creamy finish will lift your spirits. Hints of toffee, spice, and caramel tease the senses making this the perfect ale to share with friends and family during the cold days and long nights of winter.
Added by maxpower on 11-18-2001
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,846 | Reviews: 739
4.43/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This might have easily been the first Winter Warmer I had - or at least, even if I had one, I didn't remember it. But this one I will for sure.
This one tastes amazing, with perfectly well balanced vanilla and bourbon, something like a kind of a cake or sweets or confectionery but without the sticky sweetness - could it even be semi dry? Therefore it is very well balanced: it feels sweet and playful but it doesn't overwhelm you with its sugars, just the sweetness in its taste. Just the sweet feeling.
A really good and unique Winter Warmer, it warms you up by making you feel good.
586 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This might have easily been the first Winter Warmer I had - or at least, even if I had one, I didn't remember it. But this one I will for sure.
This one tastes amazing, with perfectly well balanced vanilla and bourbon, something like a kind of a cake or sweets or confectionery but without the sticky sweetness - could it even be semi dry? Therefore it is very well balanced: it feels sweet and playful but it doesn't overwhelm you with its sugars, just the sweetness in its taste. Just the sweet feeling.
A really good and unique Winter Warmer, it warms you up by making you feel good.
586 characters
3.51/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
4.6/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A very drinkable, enjoyable, smooth ,and satisfying brew! Got it in the can at Total Wine & More in St Pete, FL, Park St.N., on May 14, 2018, for $5.99.! Niiiiice! I actually drank this beer 8 or 10 years ago in the bottle and was not impressed back then. I taste some toffee and butterscotch with a nice semi-dry finish. It's a very drinkable, enjoyable, easy-drinking beer. For $5.99, this beer could not be beat when looking at getting the most bang for your buck!!!! I enjoyed drinking it out of a cold can! I love my winter warmers!!! Who's selling SnowCap??!?!?
568 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A very drinkable, enjoyable, smooth ,and satisfying brew! Got it in the can at Total Wine & More in St Pete, FL, Park St.N., on May 14, 2018, for $5.99.! Niiiiice! I actually drank this beer 8 or 10 years ago in the bottle and was not impressed back then. I taste some toffee and butterscotch with a nice semi-dry finish. It's a very drinkable, enjoyable, easy-drinking beer. For $5.99, this beer could not be beat when looking at getting the most bang for your buck!!!! I enjoyed drinking it out of a cold can! I love my winter warmers!!! Who's selling SnowCap??!?!?
568 characters
3.84/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours with half-finger head that quickly dissipates. Maple syrup in color.
S: Apple, vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Not very strong.
F: Medium mouthfeel. Slightly sticky syrupy.
T: Vanilla, caramel, toffee, and nutty malts with just barely enough hops.
O: Overall, nice beer for a cold day. Very drinkable, hides the alcohol well, but also quite forgettable.
365 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours with half-finger head that quickly dissipates. Maple syrup in color.
S: Apple, vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Not very strong.
F: Medium mouthfeel. Slightly sticky syrupy.
T: Vanilla, caramel, toffee, and nutty malts with just barely enough hops.
O: Overall, nice beer for a cold day. Very drinkable, hides the alcohol well, but also quite forgettable.
365 characters
3.94/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very good
9 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very good
9 characters
3.59/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
4.89/5 rDev +26.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Velvety smooth...hints of vanilla and winter spices. On draft poured out with a whispy and tasty head.
103 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Velvety smooth...hints of vanilla and winter spices. On draft poured out with a whispy and tasty head.
103 characters
4.27/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pint on nitro (which probably accounts for the higher appearance & lower smell ratings) at the Brass Tap here in Baltimore
122 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pint on nitro (which probably accounts for the higher appearance & lower smell ratings) at the Brass Tap here in Baltimore
122 characters
1.59/5 rDev -58.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
Natural flavors added!? That's all that needs to be said about this beer. It looks flat and tastes like cream soda. I was excited when I saw a winter ale, but this is pure sugar. I may not be able to finish six pack...
218 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
Natural flavors added!? That's all that needs to be said about this beer. It looks flat and tastes like cream soda. I was excited when I saw a winter ale, but this is pure sugar. I may not be able to finish six pack...
218 characters
3.72/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
4.06/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Reddish-amber color with disappointingly very little head. Smells of honey. Very tasty. Not much of that "winter spice" flavor, just a little bit, and in my opinion just the right amount. Honey is the dominant flavor for me, but there is a hint of caramel there too. Slight hoppy aftertaste to go along with the honey.
318 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Reddish-amber color with disappointingly very little head. Smells of honey. Very tasty. Not much of that "winter spice" flavor, just a little bit, and in my opinion just the right amount. Honey is the dominant flavor for me, but there is a hint of caramel there too. Slight hoppy aftertaste to go along with the honey.
318 characters
3.56/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.8/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.39/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.75/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.21/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.87 out of
5 with
1,846 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.